William Saliba sensational in debut win over Crystal Palace

William Saliba produced a Man of the Match performance at Selhurst Park as Arsenal opened their Premier League account with a 2-0 win over Crystal Palace.

It’s official. William Saliba has arrived. The 21-year-old started his first competitive game for Arsenal three years after signing for the club and put forth a display that signals his serious talent.
If anyone on the planet had doubts over whether the Frenchman had what it takes to succeed in the Premier League, then I’m sure those would’ve dissipated overnight.

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He did everything at the highest level. He was clean with the ball at his feet and was quick to distribute it, solid in a tackle, covered exceptionally well when needed, and looked assured, composed, and everything in between amid a Man of the Match display.

While it is only one game, the hype surrounding Saliba is enormous. Having excelled during Arsenal’s pre-season, the 21-year-old took it up a notch yet again against Palace.

To come to a place like Selhurst Park, which is a tough place to play at the best of times, let alone to open the season, on your league debut and simply take care of everything that fell his way while looking like he was in second gear was incredible.

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What I am about to say might ruffle a few feathers, but as far as the old ‘eye test’ goes, Saliba is the best defender at the club. That is no slight on Gabriel, Ben White, Kieran Tierney, Takehiro Tomiyasu, and Oleksander Zinchenko, as all players mentioned are supremely talented first-team players with international experience.

But Saliba is a different beast. He did not look flustered at all. At times, Gabriel was shaky on the odd occasion; Ben White dealt reasonably well with Wilfried Zaha and Zinchenko, who, for the most part, was good on his club debut.

The 21-year-old spoke to Sky Sports post-game and said he had waited a long time to make his Gunners debut while acknowledging it would be a tough game first up.

"“We knew it would be hard here but we were strong and solid,” Saliba said.“I’ve waited a long time to make my debut and I’m happy to start with a clean sheet and a win.“It’s important for confidence.”"

Please make no mistake about it now; Saliba is the first defensive name on the team sheet. He has developed a great understanding with Gabriel, leaving Ben White on the outer. That is what we wanted all along: competition for places.

Mikel Arteta will have a decision to make when Tomiyasu is fit, but there can be no doubt in anyone’s mind that William Saliba is the logical player to start games, and it isn’t even close.